Akufo Addo makes history ‘packing’ 18 judges at Supreme Court, Highest since independence

President Akufo-Addo has made history by becoming the President with the highest number of Supreme Court nominations at 18 judges.

It is the highest number of judges appointed by a single President since the creation of the Supreme Court and the Appeals Court ceased being the highest court of the land.

This milestone comes after opposition leader John Mahama accused Akufo-Addo of deliberately “packing” the Supreme Court for an alleged “agenda”.

Before reaching the 18 mark, the highest number of Supreme Court nomination was 17 held by former president Kufuor with Akufo-Addo at 15 judges.

Some of the President’s nominees have retired or have passed on while on the bench and have since being replaced with new nominees.

This week Parliament unanimously approved the nomination of three Court of Appeal Judges by President Akufo-Addo to join the Supreme Court.

With the approval of the judges to join the Supreme Court, Justices Henry Anthony Kwofie, Yaw Darko Asare, and Adjei-Frimpong become the 16th, 17th and 18th Akufo-Addo Supreme Court nominees.

This makes Akufo-Addo the President with the most Supreme Court nominations after Former President John Agyekum Kufuor under the fourth Republic dispensation.

The first president of the 4th Republic, Jerry John Rawlings made 11 appointments to the Supreme Court.

His successor, John Agyekum Kufuor, appointed 17 judges in 8 years to the court.

Then came the late former President, John Evans Atta Mills, who appointed 3 judges to the highest court of the land.

Former President John Mahama appointed 4 judges to the Supreme Court.

Approval of 3 to make 18

The approval of the three judges to make a total of 18 judges was quiet and peaceful unlike previous nominees of the President.

Members of Parliament from both the Minority and Majority sides gave their unanimous consent without any controversy.

The three nominees underwent a vetting process by the Appointments Committee of Parliament on December 20. Subsequently, they were recommended for approval during the plenary session.

Meanwhile, Justice Yaw Darko Asare spoke extensively about the importance of accountability in the Judiciary and acknowledged the need to address the public perception of the court system.

Justice Adjei-Frimpong, on the other hand, expressed his commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is served for all Ghanaians. He also emphasized the need for the court system to be accessible to all citizens, regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds.